If you are interested in Asian history, chances are it is the name Angkor Wat that you will recognize. But visually, it is more likely that the scuptured towers of Angkor Thom will trigger a recollection. It is here that the buildings are topped by towers covered in huge benevolent faces gazing back at the viewer. One of these faces (originally 216 in all, located on the Bayon temple) you can see from our perspective to the left, or in full below. It is believed the face may have been carved in likeness to King Jayavarman V11, who was responsible for creating the city and transforming it into the ruling seat and capital of Angkor. It's structures include both palaces and housing for the royal family and administrative workers and a vast amount of temples.

Angkor Thom as it stands today was primarily built by King Jayavarman V11 after the 1177 sack of the Chamma, a neighboring kingdom often at war with the Khmer. Earlier buildings on the site (built primarily in brick) include the Baphuon temple, which was later incorporated into the royal palace.

1 of 5 gates

Bayon faces

Bayon bas-relief

It was built primarily of laterite in the early 13th century, and differs from Angkor Wat or many other Ankorean temples in architectural style as well as religious purpose, Angkor Wat being dedicated to Hindu gods while most of the temples of Angkor Thom are entirely Buddhist. The reasoning for this is the creation of this section of Angkor coincided with a shift in religions by the rulers and royal families. Angkor as a whole began it's building phase under rulers following a Hindu sect, later kings such as Jayavarman V11 were Buddhist or simply wanted the city to reflect it's inhabitants better, as regardless of the royal religion, much of Angkor's residents were Buddhist. It is possible that criticism from the citizens spurned on these Buddhist reflections.

It's most famous of all of the temples is the Bayon, also built by Jayavarman V11. The Bayon is a massive temple thought to represent a great mountain, topped by a multitude of the large faces mentioned above (4 each located on top of 54 towers), an outer courtyard, many scenes depicted in bas-relief and two libaries. You may enjoy viewing this excellent computer reconstruction of one of it's libaries: Library reconsctruction or an unaltered version - as it stands today is shown below.

It's bas-reliefs are plentiful ranging from administrative commentary to war representation and mythological religious importance. Perhaps its most interesting is the depiction of the Churning of the Sea of milk, where demons and gods alike are lined up and working in cooperation to churn the primordial seas that create and sustain all life (Hindu Mythology). This theme can also be seen in free standing sculptures carrying an immense stone rope lined up along the central walkway into Angkor. A large photograph of the bas-relief is linked to from the image section below. (Royalty free usage of photos of the churning of the sea of milk in good condition could not be located but the version linked to is excellent quality. Note the high detail in foliage beneath them)

Other temples located in Angkor Thom include the older Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Terrace of the Elephants, Preah Palilay and Preah Pithu among others.

Angkor Thom is a walled in city covering some 9 kilometers with 5 distinct gates, the main entrance gate being 'Victory Gate'. It is located north of the entrance to Angkor nearer to the eastern Baray (resovoir) and surrounded by a moat that has partially crumbled with vegetation in modern times.

For images and more information on each of these temples, victory square located at the center of Angkor Thom and maps of the area please see:

• Angkor -Maps, illustrations & photos
  *if this page does not load, try refreshing. Best reference on maps.
• Churning of the Sea of Milk
Angkor Thom (in French) Travelblog-Angkor, Siem Reap
• Daves Travel corner

The 2 main sources used in this summary are located at:

• Wikipedia.org/Angkor Thom
• Cambodia online: temples of Angkor Thom

All images shown are used within terms of service and/or with permission from:

• SnapshotAsia: Travel Photographs (©Mike & Lourdes Samson)
• stock.xchng - free stock photography